| Masonry fireplaces offer good solutions to many | | | | channels. |
| of the problems associated with wood burning. | | | | Masonry fireplaces are very well adapted to new |
| They provide clean combustion at a high | | | | homes where floor plans allow for the required |
| temperature, good efficiency, a high degree of | | | | extra space. They can be adapted to many |
| safety, and little or no pollution. Masonry fireplaces | | | | existing homes by locating the unit in an insulated |
| were designed to burn much hotter than a | | | | basement or in the living room supported by |
| standard wood stove. Moreover, they are able to | | | | reinforced masonry piers. |
| retain that heat much longer than the traditional | | | | Masonry fireplaces, also known as Russian, |
| fireplaces that preceded them. | | | | Siberian, or Finnish fireplaces, are some of the |
| Masonry fireplaces can sharply reduce | | | | most efficient heating systems you can have in |
| wood-burning safety problems. An iron stove, | | | | your home. The heater core of a masonry stove |
| when lit, is frequently so hot it will burn anyone | | | | burns at maximum efficiency resulting in |
| who touches it. In contrast, builders of masonry | | | | particulate emissions that fall well within EPA |
| fireplaces sometimes incorporate seats into the | | | | guidelines and are comparable to catalytic wood |
| stove because the external surfaces of a | | | | burning stoves. |
| properly used heater are very safe to touch. | | | | Unfortunately, since masonry fireplaces are |
| In addition to built in seats, it's common to also | | | | custom built to individual specifications, they don't |
| incorporate a bake oven, and to a lesser extent, | | | | lend themselves easily to third party testing |
| a domestic hot water heater coil. | | | | necessary for EPA certification. This certification is |
| Here's how they work: Outside combustion air | | | | required to qualify for state and federal energy |
| enters at a lower level through the foundation. | | | | tax incentives and rebates. |
| The intake air passes through the air damper and | | | | Masonry fireplaces excel not only in combustion |
| then into the firebox. Rapid combustion of the fuel | | | | efficiency, but they also greatly outperform metal |
| charge results in long flames, which are directed | | | | wood stoves and open fireplaces in thermal |
| around the bake oven and then burn out in the | | | | efficiency. Thermal efficiency is measured in the |
| secondary combustion chamber. (Secondary | | | | proportion of the heat produced by the fire that |
| combustion occurs when the gases emitted from | | | | is retained in the dwelling. |
| the burning wood are also combusted. This | | | | But don't expect a masonry stove to quickly take |
| accounts for high fuel efficiency with minimal | | | | the chill off your home. The first firing of the |
| harmful emissions). The hot gases are then cooled | | | | season will probably take 2 or 3 days to bring the |
| in two downdraft heat exchange channels and | | | | heat up to a comfortable level. Once this level is |
| enter a connecting plenum under the firebox. | | | | achieved however, you can depend on non-drying |
| From there the cooled exhaust gases enter the | | | | warmth for the entire heating season with minimal |
| chimney at floor level. The design of the | | | | firing. |
| connecting plenum allows the chimney to be | | | | Masonry fireplaces, decorated with tile, stone, or |
| connected anywhere at the back or side of the | | | | adobe, are also very attractive from an interior |
| heater without unbalancing the downdraft | | | | design standpoint and often downright beautiful. |